Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 117,775 complaints - component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident date: Sep 19, 2025
My 2021 chevy 3500hd diesel had the engine light come on and the service emissions system popped up in the info screen. It said in so many miles speed would be limited. I took it to the dealer and they said the def tank would need replaced because the tank wiring connector overheated and would cost me over $2k.
Incident date: Feb 7, 2026
While driving home from work during rush hour, a warning light illuminated on my dashboard and my vehicle suddenly lost braking ability. When I pressed the brake pedal, the vehicle did not slow or stop. I was forced to pull onto the shoulder of the road and pump the brake pedal extremely hard multiple times before the vehicle finally came to a stop. This occurred in heavy traffic and created an im... Read more
Incident date: Feb 8, 2026
Hood liner repeatedly drops down out of its mounting points on the edge near the engine firewall. This is a manufacturing engineering deficiency that relies on shaped material to hold the liner in place. The dealer has replaced it three times, and the same thing continues to happen. Chrysler refuses to address the issue. My concern is what happens if the liner completely drops down on the engine... Read more
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
When the vehicle is off the windows will come down on their own! This has occurred on 4 difference instances. One dealership indicated the "fix" the situation; however, they never replaced the parts which were required for the fix. A second dealership would not perform a diagnostic. A third dealership indicated that that cleaned and lubricated the necessary parts. Less than a week after leaving th... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
The rear view backup camera will get scrambled or become blurry from time to time . It is happening more frequently causing the inability to know what is behind you when backing up.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2025
My Volvo EX90 has recurring software reliability problems affecting safety-related detection systems and hands-free operation features. These failures involve inconsistent or incorrect detection of vehicles and pedestrians and unpredictable loss of hands-free phone functionality. These issues create increased distraction and reduce confidence in driver-assistance safety features.
Incident date: Jun 5, 2025
Vehicle: 2016 Ford F-150, 5.0L V8, 6R80 automatic transmission Mileage at time of failure: Approximately 118,000 miles Approximate date of occurrence: Late 2025 (Late October to Early November) While driving at speeds above approximately 40 mph, the transmission would randomly and unexpectedly downshift, causing a severe and sudden jerking motion accompanied by extremely high engine RPMs. After s... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2018) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 8, 2026
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
Hi as I was driving my car on a clear road no cars near my car all of a sudden my sunroof exploded as if it was shot my a military tank we panicked thankfully tried to maintain calm and it didn’t hurt my children and thankfully no car was around as the sound did put us at panick mode which could have resulted in a car crash from the cause of the incident
Incident date: Nov 21, 2025
I am reporting suspected odometer fraud and possible VIN [XXX] entation involving a vehicle being offered for sale. The seller stated the vehicle has approximately 123,000 miles. However, a vehicle history report and third-party valuation (Carvana) show the same vehicle VIN [XXX] ) wi [XXX] les recorded. This is a discrepancy of more than 180,000 miles. I personally photographed the VIN plate o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
Our 2016 Ford F-150 experienced a sudden, forceful, uncommanded lane deviation while traveling at highway speed. Without warning or driver input, the vehicle abruptly jolted into the left lane. The steering was corrected and returned to our lane, but shortly afterward the truck again forcefully veered left. The movement felt comparable to being struck by another vehicle. There was no oncoming traf... Read more
Incident date: Jan 27, 2026
I had stopped uphill, with my foot on the brake, heading East on the left lane of Pomona Road, at the approach to the Traffic Light Junction with Route 45, around 3.50 PM on Friday 1/23/2026. There were about 5-6 cars also stopped, ahead of me, at the Red Traffic Light and several cars behind me, when I heard my car engine rev up loudly. I kept applying the brake. I could hear my car tires spinni... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 5, 2026
Rear view camera intermittently works. Blackout when reversing. Car is in reverse camera starts then stops
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
REAR WINDOW (REAR FLIP UP OVER TAIL GATE) SPONTANIOUSLY SHATTERED AND REQUIRED FULL REPLACEMENT.
Incident date: Jan 31, 2026
My vehicle was sitting in a small parking lot at work and the back liftgate glass blew out onto the pavement. It was 95 degrees outside. The liftgate arms and all the shattered glass were on the outside of my vehicle. I called the dealership and was told nothing they could do and they didn't even ask to look at it. I paid out of pocket to replace the glass. Then on January 24th when it was -25 deg... Read more
Incident date: Oct 13, 2025
There is no manual door release for rear doors in the Tesla model 3 RWD. This can pose a safety issue if the car has no power and passengers need to evacuate the vehicle.
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
(2022) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 7, 2026
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
While scheduling service for NHTSA recall No. 25V-387/FSAM-1693 (Front Turn Signal Lamps malfunction that leads to no fulfillment of FMVSS 108 requirements) I was refused correction of the recall by the Rivian Miami Service Center rep (Service Advisor Joel). I was informed that Rivian has informed the Service Advisors that this recall will only be performed on already malfunctioning lamps or in co... Read more
Incident date: Feb 4, 2026
The adhesive on 3 of the rear parking sensors failed and the brackets holding the sensors in place fell off into the inside of the bumper triggering the sensor to go off constantly when reversing and auto brake.
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
Sometimes when stopped at a light and turning onto another street the car loses acceleration. The cars power does not shut off but causes a delay in the acceleration when turning or accelerating. I brought my vehicle to the dealership and they test drove it and hooked it up to the coding machine and said no codes came up and there isn’t a recall. However I looked and it said there is a recall on... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
1. Do not charge the car more 80% fire risk. 2. Loss of power stalling,software malfunction. 3. Battery/Electrical: Battery issues,erratic instrument panel gauges or lights. electronic stability control overheating. 4. Miscellaneous Concerns; Battery power loss.
Incident date: Jan 19, 2026
The sunroof shade cover has become unattached to the rollers on the sunroof track. This causes sagging of the sunroof sunshade, and limits visibility while driving.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
On Friday Jan 30 around 3pm, this Rav 4 entered the short drive way in front of the garage. The car stopped, the automatic garage door was engaged. Suddenly, the car advanced, passing through the opening garage door and into and through the back wall of the garage. This is a sustaining way for the second storey. The front of the car displaced the counters inside, demolished the kitchen, almost top... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 1, 2023
My 2022 Ram 1500 TRX has recurring safety-related failures of the infotainment system affecting both Uconnect 5 (12” screen) and earlier Uconnect 4 units. These issues are widespread in 2021–2024 Ram TRX and Ram 1500 models and began or worsened after forced over-the-air updates. The primary defect is black-screen failures while driving. When the screen goes black or freezes, the truck loses ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 2, 2024
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe - Front windshield had spontaneous horizontal crack about 8" on driver side WHILE PARKED WITH NO IMPACT. Car is new with NO ROCK CHIPS. Our winter nights were about 15-25 degrees and the crack would spread WHILE PARKED overnight. Within a week it spread to 24" while trying to get the dealer to agree that this is a warranty issue with no luck. Was told it is NOT a warranty iss... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2025
The headliner that covers my panoramic sunroof has came loose on both sides , obstructing my reaview .
Incident date: Jan 4, 2026
Since December my car has been burning oil at a fast rate. My husband has already had to add an additional 4 quarts since my last service 3000 miles ago. I have read and heard from others with a Santa Fe that they are having to replace their engines because of this. They are under warranty. Unfortunately I am not. I’ve already dealt with a white paint issue with Hyundai. I called couple weeks a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 29, 2025
The ICCU on our 2024 IONIQ 5 (VIN: [XXX] ) failed on January 4, 2026, along with the 12‑volt battery. The vehicle had only 5,034 miles on it and was just 12 months and 14 days past our purchase date of December 21, 2024. At the time of the incident, the car was charged to 79% when it suddenly entered turtle mode. We were close enough to home to return safely, but the following day the vehicle h... Read more
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2024) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 7, 2026
Incident date: Feb 2, 2026
The rear camera blacks out on the dashboard. Sometimes when I start the dashboard, the thing is dark. It doesn't come on even while driving. It mainly happens with the push start option. Occasionally, I've been driving on the highway. And it'll start flashing blinking and then blackout. Also, the gear shifting to accelerate on the gas get stuck. It won't shift, it'll go into neutral mode. Even tho... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
Driving with my wife and [XXX] child, there was a pop sound from under the car, and the car suddenly showed multiple faults, including "Check electric vehicle system”, which cleared on their own. I parked and turned the car off and on again and the faults reappeared. I started driving home, and during the drive it showed "Stop vehicle and check power supply" and audibly alarmed. As I was only h... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
In January 2026, my wife was driving our 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid EX downhill in traffic when the hybrid system failed without warning. Cabin filled with smoke, lost steering control, and explosion shook the vehicle. She was surrounded by other vehicles and could have been killed or caused multi-car crash. COMPONENT FAILURE: Dealership diagnosed hybrid system failure after 2.5 weeks. Vehicle at de... Read more
Incident date: Feb 3, 2026
The emergency mechanical levers for BOTH of my front doors do not work at all. I pull them while pushing the door and they do not open the car. If the power dies in the car, there is no way for me or my passenger to escape the car. I reported this to Tesla and they are not able to immediately investigate it or provide me replacement vehicle.
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY SPORT
(2023) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
The rear back window shattered on its own without any impact or object interference
HYUNDAI
SANTA FE SPORT
(2016) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
Windshield cracked approximately 2” from the bottom all the way across while using the defroster to clear ice from it. I was still parked at the time. I am unsure how long it will stay water tight or become worse. One concern is the crash avoidance and the automatic high beam sensor are both attached to the windshield and don’t want them to fail. I also don’t want the entire piece of glass t... Read more
FORD
EXPEDITION
(2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
Recall issue: The vehicle failed and became disabled due to the shift cable bushing while in a parking lot on private property, with driver in the vehicle. The gear would not shift or go into park and continued to roll forward until either I hit the curb or applied the brake. Ford will not pay for the tow or diagnostic fee to have the problem diagnosed at another body shop (before I knew of the r... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2025
Transmission Failures.The issue initially presented as intermittent trasmision shuddering, hesitation during accelaration, harsh and delayed shifting, and noticeable vibration, particularly at low speeds and during gear changes. These symptms progressively worsened over time and affected drivability and safty. Prior the failure, there were no warning lights or dashboard messages displayed. Based o... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
ABS control module failed. It put me at risk because my car shut down on me while driving could have resulted in a car accident.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
My 2012 Hyundai Sonata recently had an engine replacement completed under a Hyundai recall. Immediately after the recall repair, the vehicle began shaking while driving, produced a burning smell, and the air conditioning stopped working, none of which occurred prior to the recall repair. These symptoms started immediately after the engine replacement, indicating a possible improper or unsafe inst... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
This car is becoming more of a headache than it’s worth. Turned the car on, My car started shaking and my check engine light came on. then I got this message “A possible condition with your engine control system has been detected on a 2017 Hyundai Sonata”
Incident date: Jun 6, 2024
I have a 2024 Tahoe that was purchased new from the dealer and has 13,700mi. The first service was completed as required in December with no issues identified. Less than 2 months later the front wheels started making a squeaking sound intermittently when accelerating, coasting or breaking. There were no warning messages. The dealership/mechanic looked over the car & said that the front brakes were... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2026
The rear portion of the panoramic moonroof shattered spontaneously while the vehicle was being operated, without any impact or external cause.
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
I was parked. I put my car in reverse. I heard the beeping sound confirming it was in reverse. I put my foot on the accelerator and the car went forward instead of reverse. This happened twice. I immediately shut off the car and turned it back on. Then it worked fine, and continued to work fine for the rest of the day as I drove to 7-8 more stops where I shut off the car. This was witnessed by a ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 15, 2025
While performing a factory recall on the RV, the mobile RV tech discovered underlying issues. He suggested that we get an in-depth evaluation. I contacted and dropped the RV at the shop for diagnosis. The shop discovered extensive frame damage (weld break) at the main beam connecting the pin box and also total frame break and separation on the upper deck floor support. There is substantial floor s... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
Vehicle lost full power all dashboards went blank. When tried to turn off the vehicle switch didn’t turn it off after multiple attempts at complete stop on the busy road vehicle managed to turn off restart system and turn it back on
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
Upon putting car in reverse backup camera screen shows upside picture. Upon putting car in reverse backup camera screen goes completely black Being a senior driver the backup camera system is a huge safety necessity
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this email in support of a formal Vehicle Safety Complaint regarding a HINO-branded electric truck with an active ABS warning fault and no authorized repair pathway. Vehicle details: VIN: [XXX] Make: HINO Year: 2020 Powertrain: Electric (SEA Electric Drive conversion) Shortly after purchase, the ABS warning light illuminated. Multiple HINO-authorized ser... Read more
Incident date: Feb 6, 2026
The welds on the Driver's and passenger door hinges broke and now the broken hinge prevents the windows from rolling down. The welds on the muffler are also broken.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2026
My sos light has been disconnected for days and VW customer care will not put in an IT ticket until it hits a certain amount of time and then I would have to wait another 20 days to hear back from them. Not having this feature working is not safe and I also cannot use my app to start my car which is frustrating. I’m hearing it was created by some satellite update VW pushed through causing many p... Read more
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
(2020) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Nov 25, 2025
Transfer case and front differential failure. No warning lights came on beforehand
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
MY CAR WAS ACTING LIKE IT HAD BAD GAS. I TOOK TO T HE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD IT FOR DAYS AND SAID TRANSMISSION. I AM AT 45,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. THEY HAD MY CAR IN LAST MONTH AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT OR SO THEY SAID. YOU DID SAY THERE WAS A RECALL/PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2017 2018 AND 2019 TRAVERSE. IS MINE COVERED TO BE FIXED?
Incident date: Mar 1, 2025
MY TRUCK RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS AND ABRUPTLY SLOWS VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING
TOYOTA
GRAND HIGHLANDER
(2025) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 6, 2026
Incident date: Dec 18, 2025
I bought my Rogue August 2025, brand new. I am at home and my rear windshield has just busted out for no reason. It is 38 degrees today outside. I have not moved my vehicle at all today. For no reason, just sitting in driveway, it has busted. I looked up and it looks as if other Rogues are doing this. This is very dangerous. What if I had been driving the vehicle.